JP4592706B2 - Electric lamp adjustment device - Google Patents

Abstract

A motorized adjuster (30) is used for adjusting the aim of a lamp. The adjuster has a housing (32) and a motor (36). An output shaft (38) passes through the housing and is operably connected to the motor. A ball stud (60) is moved by actuation of the motor and may also be moved by manual operation (41). A clutching feature may be included to prevent damage due to over adjustment attempts.

Description

  The present invention relates generally to an adjustment device used to adjust the aim of an automotive lamp. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electric lamp adjusting device for adjusting the aim of an automobile lamp by electric operation or manual operation.

  A vehicle such as an automobile is generally provided with several lamps including a headlamp and a fog lamp. These lamps are generally provided with a reflector that is hermetically sealed with the bulb relative to the lens. These lamps are securely fitted into the mounting bracket. The lamp is normally engaged with the mounting bracket at a plurality of locations in a rotational manner. This mounting bracket is attached to the vehicle. These lamps and mounting brackets are integrated into a lamp assembly finished product. Once this lamp assembly is manufactured and installed in the vehicle, adjustments are needed to bring the lamp aim to the proper aim. As a result of accidents, maintenance, normal vibration and wear, it is often necessary to aim the lamp during the life of the vehicle.

  One method of adjusting the lamp aim is to use an adjusting device. The adjustment device may be made as part of the mounting bracket, or it may be a separate part that works with both the lamp and the mounting bracket. An example of a known type of adjustment device includes a housing and an output shaft extending from the housing. This output shaft is engaged with the lamp. By actuating or operating the adjustment device, the output shaft moves relative to the lamp assembly. Such movement of the output shaft causes rotation of the lamp with respect to the mounting bracket, and the aim of the lamp is adjusted by this rotation.

  U.S. Pat. An example of this type of adjusting device disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,257,747 and the like requires manual operation. The housing of the adjusting device is provided with an opening and a gear arranged inside the opening. This gear is functionally linked or associated with the output shaft. A driver is inserted into the opening, and the driver interacts with the gear. By operating the driving body, the gear and the output shaft in the interlocking state rotate. The operation of the driving body is converted and transmitted to the movement of the output shaft by the gear. However, various modifications and improvements can be made with respect to this configuration.

  The applicability of manual adjustment devices is limited. In many countries, it is required that the driver can adjust the aim of the vehicle lamp from within the vehicle. Also, some vehicles currently provide lamps that track and illuminate the vehicle direction or adjust the lamp aim from corrections related to road undulations or vehicle weight (ie, ground undulations or loading weight on vehicles). Yes. The aim of the ramp is automatically adjusted with the rotation of the handle or as a result of the relative pitch of the suspension. The computer aligns the steering angle, the vehicle speed, and / or the suspension pitch with the lamp aim. This alignment requires a high degree of accuracy. It is impossible for the driver to simultaneously adjust the aim of the vehicle lamp while safely turning the steering wheel.

  A number of electric lamp adjustment devices have been developed and improved in functionality. Most of these adjusting devices are of manual operation type or electric operation type. In practical situations, the adjustment device has been manually operated during the manufacture, maintenance and repair of the vehicle to aim the lamp. Aiming the lamp while the vehicle is running must rely on an electric adjustment device. In this case, the adjusting device can be connected to a control device that automatically adjusts the vehicle while the vehicle is running. An example of such an adjustment device is described in US Pat. No. 5,394,318, US Pat. No. 5,673,991, and US Pat. 6,012,829. An electric motor is used for all of these adjusting devices, and the output shaft is moved in the vertical direction by this motor. The motor is disposed inside the adjusting device housing off the center of the output shaft. These adjusting devices rely on a series of gears, speed reducers, circuits, potentiometers, and transmission devices to convert the output generated by the motor into longitudinal movement of the output shaft. These adjusting devices employ a series of parts. Each of these parts is manufactured separately. These parts are then assembled inside the housing to make the adjustment device. The use of multiple parts increases the potential for adjustment device malfunction, breakage, and wear. Furthermore, by using a series of parts, the housing is made larger, so that the adjusting device is also made larger. Such a large adjustment device requires more space in the vehicle, which adversely affects the overall design and manufacture of the vehicle, and increases the overall manufacturing costs of both the adjustment device and the vehicle.

  Therefore, a need has arisen for an improved electric lamp adjustment device that can overcome the above and other disadvantages of the prior art. Of course, the present invention can of course be used in various situations where similar performance is required.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric lamp adjustment device that is cost effective, exhibits improved functionality, and can eliminate some problems that arise and cannot be overcome in existing designs.

  The adjusting device according to the present invention comprises a housing, a motor and an output shaft. In one embodiment, the output shaft extends through the housing and the motor and is operably coupled to the motor such that movement of the motor causes axial movement of the output shaft. Ideally, the anti-rotation gear is positioned within the housing such that the output shaft extends through and is functionally coupled to the anti-rotation gear. When the adjusting device is manually operated, the rotation preventing gear is used. This anti-rotation gear is also used to stop the rotation of the output shaft during operation of the motor. The anti-rotation gear is disposed within the housing such that the anti-rotation gear is biased for rotation. The output shaft is preferably provided with a rotation location, and the anti-rotation gear is formed in a shape that meshes geometrically with the rotation location so that rotation of the output shaft is caused by manual rotation of the rotation prevention gear. Is done. The adjustment device is manually operated by inserting the drive into the housing and rotating the drive. This drive body can be inserted through the drive body loading position in the housing. Once the drive is inserted, the drive engages with the output shaft through the anti-rotation gear so that rotation of the drive causes the output shaft to rotate and move along the shaft. The driver may alternatively be incorporated as part of the adjuster assembly.

  In another embodiment, the driver gear is disposed within the housing such that the output shaft passes through the drive gear but does not mesh with the drive gear. In this case, the drive gear is engaged with a ball insert that is functionally coupled to the output shaft. The output shaft is moved along the shaft by the electric operation of the adjusting device using the motor, and the ball insert is sequentially moved in the axial direction by the output shaft, thereby adjusting the lamp aim. When manually operating the adjusting device, the driving body engages with the driving gear to rotate the driving gear, the ball insertion body is rotated by the driving gear, and the ball insertion body follows the axis with respect to the output shaft. The lamp aiming is adjusted. During manual operation, the output shaft does not rotate and does not move in the axial direction. In another embodiment, a clutch mechanism is used for functional engagement between the ball insert and the output shaft.

  It is also possible to provide a lamp assembly according to the invention. The ramp assembly includes a mounting bracket, a ramp that is pivotably engaged within the mounting bracket, and an adjustment device according to any embodiment of the present invention. The adjustment device is securely locked to the mounting bracket and is functionally coupled to the lamp. In addition, a power source and / or control device is electrically connected to the motor if electrical adjustment is desired.

  One of the possible applications of the present invention is an automotive lamp, but various other applications are possible, and it is judged that the use of the present invention is limited to an automotive lamp by the description relating to the use of the automotive lamp. must not. As used herein, the terms “lamp”, “mounting bracket”, “lamp assembly”, “output shaft”, “housing”, or “ball” are limited to a particular form, shape, or composition. Should not be interpreted. Rather, these parts can take a variety of shapes and forms and can be made from a wide range of materials. The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.

  An embodiment of an electric lamp adjustment device (generally indicated by reference numeral 30) according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. While the invention may be embodied in different forms, the embodiments illustrated and described in detail in this disclosure are to be understood as illustrative of the principles of the invention, and are incorporated herein by reference. It is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown and described. Also, the features illustrated and described with respect to one embodiment are applicable to other embodiments.

  As shown in FIGS. 11, 13, 25 and 26, the adjusting device 30 is typically used in connection with a vehicle lamp and forms part of the lamp assembly 20. The lamp assembly 20 generally includes a lamp 21 and a mounting bracket 28. The lamp 21 includes a reflector 24 that is in close contact with the lens 22 or enclosed by the lens 22, and a bulb 26 that is disposed between the reflector 24 and the lens 22. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 25, the lamp 21 is pivotally locked to the mounting bracket 28. The mounting bracket 28 can be part of the lamp 21 as shown in FIGS. In FIGS. 13 and 26, the reflector 24 is attached to the mounting bracket via the pivot post 100. The adjustment device 30 is securely attached to the mounting bracket 28 and is functionally associated with the lamp 21. The adjustment device 30 can be associated with the reflector 24 as shown in any part of the lamp 21, for example in FIGS. 11, 13, 25 and 26.

  Common to all embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-31 is a housing 32 that is locked to the mounting bracket 28. The housing 32 can be made from any suitable rigid material using any suitable technique. It has also been found that the housing can be manufactured from injection molded plastic. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 6, 14, and 18 to 20, the housing 32 includes a protrusion 64 and a main body 66. The protrusion 64 is locked to the mounting bracket 28. The protrusion 64 can also be securely attached to the mounting bracket 28 via slide engagement, snap-fit, screw-in, or other means. Examples of how to attach the adjustment device to the bracket are described in US Pat. Nos. 6,474,850, 6,257,747, 6,050,712, 6,042,254, and 5,707 by Burton, incorporated herein by reference. , 133. Further, the adjustment device 30 can be attached or securely fixed to the mounting bracket 28 via slide engagement, snap-fit, screw-in, ¼ rotation, or other means. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 25, the housing 32 can be locked to the mounting bracket 28 by a 1/4 rotation method. The mounting bracket 28 is provided with an opening that is shaped to engage the protrusion 64. The housing 32 is fixed to the mounting bracket 28 by inserting the protrusion 64 into the opening and rotating it. Although the ideal rotation angle of the protrusion 64 is 60 °, other rotation angles may be used. As shown in FIGS. 1, 11, 14 and 25, an O-ring or gasket 62 is disposed on the protrusion 64 and in contact with the main body 66. When the protrusion 64 is engaged with the mounting bracket 28, a sealed state is formed between the main body 66, the O-ring or gasket 62, and the mounting bracket 28. Preferably, a face seal is formed between the main body 66 and the O-ring 62 and between the O-ring 62 and the mounting bracket 28 by this engagement. Further, the housing 32 of the adjusting device 30 can be integrally formed as a part of the mounting bracket 28 or as another structural component of the lamp assembly 20.

  Similarly, a motor 36 having a rotor 44 is common to all the embodiments shown in FIGS. The motor 36 is ideally electrically connected to a power source via a control code 91 to the connector 92. The power source is preferably a vehicle battery. As shown in FIGS. 11, 13, 25 and 26, the motor 36 is electrically connected to the controller 90 using a control cord 91. The control device 90 may be an electronic control unit (ECU), a computer, an electric signal transmitter, or a switch. Although not limited to the following, it is also possible to use several kinds of motors including stepper motors such as NMB stepper motor PL35L-02-USNJA or linear motors such as MPL35A-24 linear motor manufactured by Taishan Shang. Although the motor 36 and the output shaft 38 are shown as separate parts in the figure, it is of course possible to purchase an assembled motor device in which the output shaft 38 is already incorporated in the motor 36.

  1-13 illustrate one embodiment of an adjustment device 30 according to the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the adjustment device 30 is composed of a number of parts. The adjustment device 30 includes a housing 30 and a motor 36. The motor 36 is disposed in the housing 32 or in contact with the housing 32. The output shaft 38 is disposed in the housing 32 and the motor 36 and extends to pass through them. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the output shaft 38 is functionally interrelated with the lamp 21 at one end and engaged with the motor 36 at the other end. An anti-rotation gear 40 is disposed inside the housing 32. An output shaft 38 is inserted through the anti-rotation gear 40 so as to pass therethrough.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6, the main body portion 66 is provided with a receptor 68 extending to the protruding portion 64, a concave portion 70, and a driving body loading position 72. An anti-rotation gear 40 is disposed inside the main body 66 of the housing 32. The anti-rotation gear 40 has a head 76 having an extension 74 and a plurality of gear teeth 48. 2 and 3, the gear teeth 48 are directed toward the extension 74. In another aspect, the gear teeth 48 can be directed away from the extension 74. The anti-rotation gear 40 is preferably made from a piece of plastic, but may have other configurations. When the rotation preventing gear 40 is disposed inside the main body 66, the extending portion 74 is inserted into the receptor 68. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the extension 74 is preferably snapped into the receptor 68. By inserting the extension 74 into the receptor 68, contact with the recess 70 of the head 76 occurs. As shown in FIG. 3, the recess 70 has at least one bent portion 56. The bent portion 56 can be configured in various forms. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, it has been found effective to provide three bends 56 in the recess, but other numbers of bends 56 can be used. The bent portion 56 interacts with the anti-rotation gear 40 and is functionally linked. As shown in FIG. 8, the bend 56 interacts with the gear teeth 48. The bent portion 56 enables rotation of the anti-rotation gear 40 when the adjustment device 30 is manually operated via the drive body 41, while when the adjustment device 30 is electrically operated via the motor 36. Operates to stop the rotation of the anti-rotation gear 40. Alternatively, when the adjusting device 30 is operated via the motor 36, it is also sufficient to stop the rotation of the anti-rotation gear 40 using an interference means between the anti-rotation gear 40 and the housing 32 or other interference means in the apparatus. Is possible. In such an embodiment, the adjustment device 30 will have no bends 56 disposed therein.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the adjusting device 30 is manually operated by actuating the drive body 41 inserted into the drive body loading position 72 (see, for example, FIG. 2). The driving body 41 can be locked by using a driving body holding body 94 disposed in the driving body loading position 72. A groove 95 is preferably provided on the drive body 41 so as to be snap-fitted into the drive holding body 94. The driver 41 is functionally engaged with the gear teeth 48 of the anti-rotation gear 40. The gear teeth 48 are shaped to functionally interact with and geometrically engage the driver 41, preferably the drive teeth 50. By actuating the drive body 41, the rotation prevention gear 40 is caused to rotate. The head 52 of the driving body 41 is ideally rotated using a work tool such as a wrench, a driver, or a TORX (registered trademark) driver. Alternatively, depending on the shape of the gear teeth 48, the driver 41 itself can be used as a flat head, a Philip head, or a TORX (registered trademark) driver.

  2-6, the output shaft 38 is inserted into the anti-rotation gear 40 and extends past the protrusion 64 of the housing 32. As shown in FIG. The output shaft 38 is provided with a lamp side end 78, at least one rotating portion 46, and a driving body side end 82. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, the lamp end 78 of the output shaft 38 is coupled to the lamp 21. The lamp side end 78 is engaged with the reflector 24, but another part can be used for attachment to the lamp 21. The lamp end 78 is ideally coupled to the lamp 21 via a ball 60. Any material may be used for the ball 60, but it has been found effective to be made using a flexible material such as plastic. Alternatively, the output shaft 38 may be coupled directly to the lamp 21 or to a grommet meshed with the lamp 21 and / or the output shaft 38 may be formed as part of the output shaft. A member having a ball 60 or any other pivot mechanism may be included.

  The output shaft 38 is inserted into the anti-rotation gear 40, passes through it, and is in contact therewith. 2 and 3, the output shaft 38 penetrates through a bearing 42 fitted into the head 76 of the anti-rotation gear 40. The bearing 42 reduces wear caused by the interaction between the anti-rotation gear 40 and the rotor 44. 2 and 3, the output shaft 38 passes through an additional bearing 96 disposed between the rotor 44 and the stator or driver 45. These bearings 42 and / or 96 are preferably manufactured from a low friction material such as stainless steel. As shown in FIG. 4, the output shaft 38 is provided with at least one rotation preventing portion 46. This anti-rotation portion 46 may be configured in any form, shape and number depending on the precision of the configuration of the adjustment device 30 and the desired characteristics. The extension 74 of the anti-rotation gear 40 is shaped to geometrically match the output shaft 38 and the anti-rotation portion 46. 2 and 3, the anti-rotation portion 46 is a small bolt that is inserted into the output shaft 38 at a constant angle, preferably 90 ° with respect to the axis of the output shaft 38. 9 and 12, the extension 74 of the rotation preventing gear 40 has an internal space 84 having a circular center opening 85. The output shaft 38 is inserted into this circular central opening 85. Anti-rotation portion 46 is functionally associated with anti-rotation gear 40. By rotating the rotation prevention gear 40, the internal space 84 of the extension portion 74 comes into contact with the rotation prevention portion 46. The internal space 84 exerts an acting force on the rotation preventing portion 46, thereby causing the output shaft 38 to rotate. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the rotation preventing gear 40 and the output shaft 38 rotate as a single unit.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the driving body side end portion 82 of the output shaft 38 is inserted into the motor 36 and interlocked with the motor 36. The motor 36 includes a rotor 44 and a driving device 45. As shown in FIG. 2, the driving device 45 is provided with a stator 93 and a connector 92. As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the rotor 44 is disposed inside the driving device 45. The driver side end portion 82 and the rotor 44 are both threaded. The driver end 82 is inserted into the rotor 44 along the thread.

  The adjusting device 30 can be operated manually or via a motor 36. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, the adjusting device 30 performs the aiming of the lamp 21 through the movement of the output shaft 38 in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the housing 32 of the adjusting device 30 is locked to the mounting bracket 28. The output shaft 38 of the adjusting device 30 is linked to the lamp 21, preferably via a ball 60. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation of the adjusting device 30 causes the output shaft 38 to move in the axial direction. By this operation, the lamp 21 is turned and the aim of the lamp 21 is adjusted. Manual operation is performed by actuating the drive 41 located in the body 66 of the housing 32. By operating the drive body 41, the rotation prevention gear 40 and the output shaft 38 are rotated. By rotating the output shaft 38, the screw is inserted through the screw of the fixed rotor 44 during manual operation, so that the output shaft 38 moves along the shaft. By rotating the output shaft 38 in one direction, the output shaft 38 extends toward the lamp 21. When the output shaft 38 is rotated in the opposite direction, an operation of returning to the lamp 21 of the output shaft 38 is caused. Thus, by rotating the output shaft 38, movement along the axis of the output shaft 38 occurs. The electric operation is performed by operating the motor 36 coupled to the driving body side end portion 82 of the output shaft 38. By operating the motor 36, the rotation of the rotor 44 inside the motor is caused. As described above, the driver-side end portion 82 and the rotor 44 are threaded so as to fit each other. During the electric operation of the adjusting device 30, the rotation of the output shaft 38 is stopped by the rotation preventing gear 40. Thus, rotation of the threaded rotor 44 around the threaded portion of the output shaft 38 causes movement of the output shaft 38 along that axis.

  Another embodiment of the adjusting device 30 according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. The adjustment device 30 illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 31 includes components similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, components common to the respective embodiments perform the same function and can have the same form. As shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the adjusting device includes a housing 32, a motor 36, and an output shaft 38 inserted into the housing 32 and the motor 36. The housing 32 can have a two-part configuration consisting of a rear housing 33 and a front housing 34 as shown. However, it is of course possible for the housing to have other configurations, including a one-piece housing used in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 13 or a two-part housing with a simple cover. The front housing 34 includes a main body 66, a protrusion 64, and a drive body loading position 72. The motor 36 is disposed in the housing 32 or is attached to the housing 32. The motor 36 also includes a rotor 44 that is functionally coupled to the output shaft 38 by a screw connection. The motor 36 further includes a front flange 43. The rotation prevention gear 46 is located on the output shaft 38. The output shaft 38 is inserted through the motor 36 so that the rotation prevention gear 46 is disposed in the groove 47 in the motor flange 43. By disposing the rotation preventing portion 46 in the groove 47, the output shaft 38 can move along the axis over a distance equal to the length of the groove 47 while preventing the output shaft 38 from rotating. Operation along the axis of the output shaft 38 is illustrated in FIGS. In FIG. 18, the rotation preventing portion 46 is located near the center of the groove 47. However, after the operation of the output shaft 38 caused by the electric operation of the adjusting device 30 in FIG. It is shown in the vicinity.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the output shaft 38 is inserted so as to penetrate at least a part of the drive gear 39 located inside the housing 32. The drive gear 39 is preferably made from a single piece of plastic, although other shapes and materials can be used. The output shaft 38 is provided with a driving body side end portion 82 that cooperates with the motor 36 and a lamp side end portion 78 that is coupled to the lamp 21 via a ball insertion body 59. The drive gear 39 is provided with an extending portion 75 and a head 77 having gear teeth 49 formed on one side. FIGS. 15 and 16 show gear teeth 49 formed on the extension side of the head 77 and thus facing the extension 75, but this gear tooth 49 is on the other side of the head 77. It can also be formed and directed away from the extension 75. The ball insert 59 includes a ball 60 and an extension 61. The drive gear 39 is functionally engaged with the ball insert 59. In order to achieve this engagement, it is possible to provide the drive gear extension 75 with a vertical spline that meshes with the ball insert extension 61. 14 to 26, and particularly FIG. 24, illustrates a drive gear extension 75 having an outer spline 102 that meshes with the inner hexagonal shape of the ball insert 61. FIGS. 27 to 31 also show a drive gear extension 75 having an inner spline 102 that meshes with a clutch tab 104 formed on the outer side of the ball insert extension 61. Other engagement methods can also be used.

  As best shown in FIGS. 18-21 and 28, the drive body 41 with the head 52 and the drive teeth 49 is in the drive body loading position 72 so that the teeth 50 mesh with the gear teeth 49 of the drive gear 39. Inserted inside. As shown in these drawings, the adjusting device 30 is manually operated using the driving body 41. By manually rotating the driving body 41, the ball insertion body 59 is moved. By rotating the drive body 41, the rotation of the drive gear 39 is caused, and then the rotation of the ball insertion body 59 is caused. The ball insert 59 is coupled to the output shaft 38 using a screw connection. As the ball insert 59 rotates, the ball insert 59 moves along the axis relative to the fixed output shaft 38 during manual operation of the adjustment device. By holding the output shaft 38 during manual operation of the adjusting device 30 in a fixed position, the output shaft 38 during manual operation of the adjusting device 30 can remain in its defined position. The rotation of the drive gear 39 in one direction causes the ball insert 59 to move along the forward axis, and the rotation of the drive gear 39 in the other direction causes the rear of the ball insert 59 as shown in FIG. Movement along the axis to is performed. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, sufficient torque is applied to the driver 41 to overcome the resistance imposed on the gear teeth 49 by any of the bends 56 using at least one bend 56. Unless this is done, it is ensured that the drive gear 39 is not rotatable. In addition, the interference between the drive gear 39 and the housing 32 or other interference means in the apparatus can stop the rotation of the undesired drive body 41 and the drive gear 39 without using the bent portion 56 at all. It is possible enough.

  If desired in a particular application, the clutch tab 104 can be used to prevent excessive torque from being applied during manual operation, as shown in FIGS. For example, if the vehicle engineer is adjusting the headlamps using the drive 41 and the ball insert 59 is subject to some limitation that the technician does not know, the technician will drive in an attempt to overcome that limitation. There is a possibility of continuing to apply torque to the body 41. In this case, the clutch tab 104 collapses in response to the excessive torque and dissociates the ball insert 59 from the drive gear 39, thereby preventing mechanical damage to the device due to the excessive torque applied to the drive body 41. The device is interlocked to prevent. If the output shaft 38 is inserted into the ball insert 59 in the threaded state as much as possible and the ball insert 59 cannot move further in the rear axial direction, the device reacts to the application of excessive torque and the clutch Released by tab 104.

  During the electric operation of the adjusting device, the ball insert 59 is moved by movement along the axis of the output shaft 38, as best shown in FIGS. The rotor 44 of the motor 36 rotates around the output shaft 38, and this rotor 44 is interlocked to the output shaft 38 using a screw connection. Since the rotation of the output shaft 38 is stopped by the rotation prevention portion 46, the output shaft 38 moves along that axis as the rotor 44 rotates. Ball insert 59 is coupled to output shaft 38 and is slidable relative to drive gear extension 75. Therefore, as the output shaft 38 moves along the axis, the ball insert 59 also moves with the output shaft. The movement of the rotor 44 in one direction moves the ball insert 59 along the forward axis as shown in FIG. 19, and the movement of the rotor 44 in the other direction moves the ball insert 59 backward. Movement along the axis takes place.

  The electric lamp adjusting device 30 according to the present invention can be used not only for a vehicle lamp assembly but also for other purposes. While the present invention has been shown and described in terms of what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment herein, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments described above. Don't be. Since it is considered by those skilled in the art that modifications of the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and intent of the present invention, all that can be justified as equivalent to the gist described in the appended claims. The invention should be considered as included in the invention.

1 is a perspective view of an electric adjustment device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the electric adjustment device of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the electric adjustment device of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the electric adjusting device of FIG. 1 in a partial cross-sectional view together with a housing, a motor, and an anti-rotation gear removed. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view along the plane 5-5 of the motorized adjustment device of FIG. 1 shown with the lamp and mounting bracket shown in broken lines. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view along the plane 5-5 of the electric adjustment device of FIG. 1 shown with a lamp and mounting bracket shown in broken lines, showing the electric operation of the adjustment device. It is a fragmentary sectional view in alignment with the surface 7-7 in FIG. 5 of the electrically-driven adjustment apparatus of FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view in alignment with the surface 8-8 in FIG. 7 of the electrically-driven adjustment apparatus of FIG. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electric adjustment device of FIG. 3 taken along the plane 9-9 in FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is a front view of the electric adjustment device of FIG. 1. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a lamp assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view in alignment with surface 12-12 in FIG. 3 of the electrically driven adjustment apparatus of FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a lamp assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an electric adjustment device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the electric adjustment device of FIG. 14. FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the electric adjustment device of FIG. 14. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the motorized adjustment device of FIG. 14 with the removed housing, motor, and anti-rotation gear shown in partial cross-sectional view. FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view along plane 18-18 of the motorized adjustment device of FIG. 14 shown with a lamp and mounting bracket shown in broken lines. FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view along plane 18-18 of the motorized adjuster of FIG. 14 shown with a lamp and mounting bracket shown in broken lines, showing the motorized operation of the adjuster. FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view along the face 18-18 of the motorized adjustment device of FIG. 14 shown with a lamp and mounting bracket shown in broken lines, showing manual operation of the adjustment device. It is a fragmentary sectional view which followed the surface 21-21 in FIG. 18 of the electrically-driven adjustment apparatus of FIG. FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electric adjustment device of FIG. 21 taken along a plane 22-22 in FIG. 21. FIG. 15 is a front view of the electric adjustment device of FIG. 14. It is sectional drawing along the surface 24-24 in FIG. 18 of the electrically driven adjusting device of FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a lamp assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a lamp assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an electric adjustment device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 28 is a partial cross-sectional view along plane 28-28 of the motorized adjustment device of FIG. 27 shown with a lamp and mounting bracket shown in broken lines. FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the motorized adjustment device of FIG. 27 with the removed housing, motor, and anti-rotation gear shown in partial cross-sectional view. It is sectional drawing along the surface 30-30 in FIG. 28 of the electrically driven adjustment apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the surface 31-31 in FIG. 28 of the electrically driven adjustment apparatus of FIG.

Claims (14)

A housing;
A motor attached to the housing;
A gear that is at least partially journalized by the housing;
An output shaft operatively coupled to the motor at least partially through the motor;
A ball disposed at one end of the output shaft, the electric movement of the ball is performed by operation of the motor, and the manual movement of the ball is performed by rotation of the gear,
The gear is an anti-rotation gear operatively coupled to the output shaft, and the rotation of the output shaft is stopped during operation of the motor by the anti-rotation gear, and the output shaft is rotated by rotating the anti-rotation gear. ramp controller, wherein the rotation of the is caused.   2. The lamp adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a drive loading position into which a drive body can be inserted in order to rotate the gear.   The lamp adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the gear is a drive gear. The ball insert is operatively coupled to both the output shaft and drive gear so that the ball is on one end of the ball insert and rotating the drive gear moves the ball without movement of the output shaft. 4. The lamp adjusting device according to claim 3 , wherein the lamp adjusting device is provided. The lamp adjusting device according to claim 4 , further comprising a clutch mechanism disposed between the ball insert and the drive gear. 6. The lamp adjusting device according to claim 5 , wherein the clutch mechanism includes an interlocking tab formed on the ball insert. 5. The lamp adjusting device according to claim 4 , wherein the ball insert includes a clutch tab engaged with a drive gear. A mounting bracket;
A lamp arranged pivotably on the mounting bracket;
A housing, a motor attached to the housing, a gear at least partially journaled by the housing, an output shaft at least partially through the motor and operatively coupled to the motor, and an output shaft And an adjusting device comprising a ball disposed at one end, wherein the electric movement of the ball is performed by operation of the motor, and the manual movement of the ball is performed by rotation of the gear,
The gear is an anti-rotation gear operatively coupled to the output shaft, and the rotation of the output shaft is stopped during operation of the motor by the anti-rotation gear, and the output shaft is rotated by rotating the anti-rotation gear. The lamp assembly is characterized in that the rotation of the lamp is caused . 9. The lamp assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the housing has a drive loading position into which a drive body can be inserted in order to rotate the gear. The lamp assembly of claim 8 , wherein the gear is a drive gear. The ball insert is operatively coupled to both the output shaft and drive gear so that the ball is on one end of the ball insert and rotating the drive gear moves the ball without movement of the output shaft. The lamp assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the lamp assembly is a lamp assembly. The lamp adjusting device according to claim 11 , further comprising a clutch mechanism disposed between the ball insert and the drive gear. 13. The lamp adjusting device according to claim 12 , wherein the clutch mechanism includes an interlocking tab formed on the ball insert. 12. The lamp adjusting device according to claim 11 , wherein the ball insert includes a clutch tab engaged with the drive gear.